Editor’s note: NESN.com is going to tell the story of the 2012 Red Sox in Bobby Valentine’s words. Each game day, we will select the best Valentine quote that sums up the day for the Red Sox.
Although David Ortiz remains sidelined with pain in his Achilles, the current top of the Red Sox lineup is certainly closer to what the team had in mind preseason than what the top four have shown throughout most of the season.
With Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia both missing significant time with injuries, the top of the Red Sox lineup was thrown into upheaval almost from Day 1. Ortiz remained a constant hitting in the No. 3 slot in the order, but without Adrian Gonzalez hitting with consistent power, not only were the top two spots in the order in a constant state of flux, but the cleanup role turned into a revolving door, as well.
The last two games, however, have been a different story.
“Consistent at-bats are what we’re getting these days,” said Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine after the Sox’ commanding 9-2 win over the Rangers. “These guys are world-class hitters and they’re playing very well right now.”
On Sunday afternoon and Monday evening the Red Sox trotted out identical lineups featuring Ellsbury, Carl Crawford, Pedroia and Gonzalez making up the top four, in that order. On Sunday that group went 7-for-16, including a double, a home run, four runs scored and five RBIs. On Monday the same foursome went 11-for-18 with an astounding eight doubles and eight RBIs.
That’s some serious production from the top of the order, and a catalyst much, much closer to what the Red Sox probably figured they had to begin the season. After getting off to slow starts and regaining their timing since returning from injury, Crawford and Ellsbury have shown how much value their speed has at the top of the lineup. They’ve only had six stolen bases between them, but the way they put consistent pressure on the defense can’t be understated.
The Red Sox are still waiting for Pedroia’s bat to come all the way back around — he owns a lowly .715 OPS on the year — but he paced Boston with an impressive three doubles on Monday, a couple of those on pitches that looked like they had no business being hit into play. Likewise, Gonzalez has come around after a slow start, and he’s been the player the Red Sox expected since about June 20, only hitting six home runs in 40 games but posting a healthy .957 OPS.
Of course, this foursome can’t keep up this kind of pace for the entire season — they won’t be able to keep it up for more than a couple games. However, just the fact that they’re having, as described by Valentine, more consistent at-bats is a huge sign that they can continue to succeed and pace the Red Sox going forward.
Once Ortiz returns there will be some decisions that have to be made — namely whether to keep Crawford in the No. 2 slot in the order — but a problem that involves too many qualified players is a good one to have.
